Reservations and the Youth of India

I had written this article for Viewspaper ages ago, Was talking to a dear friend who suggested that we should write for our blogs , So I am putting here too 🙂

I am past the stage where I can say I am the youth of India but I have experience to count upon, so I can well imagine what sort of problems plague the youth. When I was studying, the only thing on my mind was what I would do once I graduated. There was no set structure except for discussions on the options one had. Although the advent of technology today has made students comparatively more aware of their choices, a lot of issues still bother them.

The ‘reservation policy’ is creating a divided society and producing a system run by the undeserving and the incompetent. A progressive India, promoting a 50% reservation in the government and private sectors spells disaster – more so, with the OBCs quota. I can understand the noble thought of getting everyone to the same level, but I wonder how this would help. All this has caused a further divide across the country; the rich and the so-called upper castes hate the lower caste more when they see an undeserving (academically poor) candidate getting a seat in a medical or engineering college above the one who deserves.

Getting a seat in a prestigious college requires a lot of hard work.

How can hard work be measured?

I’m sure the kids of the rich and the poor work equally hard, burn the midnight oil and appear for the same exam. Then how come a student who has higher marks loses a seat. Would this not frustrate the deserving candidates more?

I can understand that the poor can’t afford extra classes or tuitions. The government’s priority in that case, should be to ensure that such facilities are made available to the poor. Free and compulsory education should be provided.

If reservations are to remain, then they should be reduced in percentage and be merit-based, with less difference between the person who gets a seat on merit and one who gets it on reservation. It is unfair that a student at rank 800 gets a seat preference over a student at rank 500, just because the former has a reservation preference to avail.

Moreover, there are rich people from the lower strata who are unfairly using reservations to get free seats. The social standing of the person should be taken into consideration too.

Reservations create an unfair win-win situation because they use the reservation card throughout their lives, to get a seat, then a job and thus, an undeserving student who cannot differentiate a dissection from a dissertation becomes a doctor. Imagine how many people’s lives would depend on such hands that pick up the knife on the basis of a reservation.

The worst thing is that this reservation system passes on to the kids of such people too, and thus, this becomes a vicious circle that goes on and on. The students, who lost their seats to reservations, would be the ones who stand there, dazed and shocked, thinking of how much hard work they put in for a seat that they lost to someone’s caste.

I’d say that reservations actually encourage caste system and magnify the whole divide within the society

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i personally feel that as long politicians eyes on their vote bank through this so called “reservation policy” nothing is going to change….but there is a lot of frustration among the deserving general category youth who are denied of their rights bcoz of this policy……

i think something must be done by the authorities so that the benefit of this sort of policies is extended to needy people only and not to creamy people……..

I too have read this article before. Even after NRN comment on IIT’s ‘quality of education’, do you think many affluent people would want to join their kids in it? Because of reservation in both taking students and staff, the quality of education has come down steadily. Its not far away when Govt colleges will become like the Govt schools of today.

Yes you too read it .. Well i dont know what people would do But it would make me mad if someone non deserving gets a place and me or someone i know doesnot..

I have so many examples of people joining the police because they belonged to a caste , got admission in MBBS because of that and all .. and once the ybecome doctors and are earning enough .. there kids also use the same CASTE CARD.. to again take someone’s space …

I have experienced it myself when I was ot join the Police, inspite of being good in exams, and physically and READY to pay the MONEY too .. the number did not come as there was a quota for SC’s and a lot of Ministers relatives got into because the minister and his family belonged ot SC caste.. Now tell me why shud he get a quota when he is already RICH and has enough money to last his generations …

I totally echo and agree with what Irfan has said in the first comment….India will go no where till the time we have reservations in the name of caste etc. Help shud be given to the poor and needy irrespective of the caste they belong to!

Quota system in eduation is shortcut for governments and buerocrats to hide their inability to provide good public eductation. How can we explain thousands of schools with one teacher, no roofs and no electricity? Equality should be brought not by giving a shortcut access but providing a competitive environment and a equal platform for everyone to learn and compete Unfortunately populism rules the nation and polls.

Reservation is losing its relevance gradually. We can gradually reduce the percentage each year. One of my sons friend got a fake caste certificate made and managed a seat at an prestigious Engg college.Even though he was a duffer. How can we stop this misuse?

YEs we shud be reducing the number for sure , we cant use the misuse , but then i dont blame him, If my dad would let me I would od the same , get a fake SC certificate and do something …
Its making the best use of the system and thats what evryone is doing and WHy not …

When it happened my dad;s words to me were , try harder next time , make sure i ma more higher in marks . but I dont agree with that .. I gave my best and studied as hard as i could thats what i could do and i did yet someone who was not as good got the place beating not jsut me but a lot many others tooo …

I was once affected by the caste discrimination. Infact I missed a wonderful opportunity for studying with one of the top B School in Tamilnadu. I was so aghast that time, and realised how so many deserving doctors and engineers and architects are missing their ‘once in lifetime’ opportunity for which they struggled day and night.
It does not make any sense where from the caste come into the picture of education and profession, where everything should be based on the merit.
This is one thought provoking post Bikk….well written

I think one very good thing we could seriously work is to provide equal education right from the beginning. Our government schools are pathetic and good basic education should stop being reserved for those who can pay for it.

YEs that is the best idea, and thats what i have said too, Give good education to those who cant afford it .. Totally 100% with you on that. How is the question , maybe make sure the private good schools take a QUOTA of poor students , they still will have to take the reuired number from RICH to make their profit..

But this will help the poor to as they will have free education from a good reputated school .. All schools who want recognition will have to do this.

IHM the problem with reservation is that its not doing AS good as it is supposed to be . its doing more Damage then good ..
and that in itslef is bringing the divide among people .. the idea is to close the gap not make it bigger and I dont think the current reservation system is doing anything towards closing the Gap.

On the contrary of the lot,i am with reservation.Reservation is given on entry not inside institutions.If any undeserving or low qualified person enter the institute- the institute would itself censure on such students.He will be thrown out.But how many time does this happen?
Not even the pvt. or NGO can classify the people according to financial conditions.The govt. tries to do that & it is there in facts that the financial weeks are (with small exceptions) are from SC/ST/OBC . For the privileged of those they made a creamy layer……..
If one agrees for giving reservation for the week section than what’s the problem with the caste reservation. Most give reason for the politics on caste. Than doesn;t they have to be educated.
And after some years the SC/ST list changes.
There is no logic in saying things in theory.Even i used to say all those things.But on being practical, they seemed irrelevant.

I agree but then .. how can it be justified that a person who is ranked 500th not get the seat while the one ranked 800th etc gets it .. Isn’t the one on rank 500th more deserving .. WHat whould he/she do then .. by classifying financial condition , well how difficult can it be , the parents file returns to the income tax, It can be seen how much they earn etc .. when applying for there wards admission they put there salay slips etc on it …

and If a person has taken the oppurtunity to use the quota system and get into a good job or institute etc.. then why are his KIDS also using the Same trump card again , When do they get out of that list .. I am sorry to say you are wrong on tht List changes .. it does not .. A SC and a ST is dependent on the caste and it reamins the same for life .. irr-respective of any changes in financial standing.

I ma sorry but i did not understand what you mean by the comment .. or what you trying to say ..

Even you’ll agree that no system is perfect.There are always some cases which become unjustified.Even our judicial system give some unjustified decisions.But what other reservation system should be there.Should there be a flag that if a person profits from reservation his kids should not get that?I have some friends who exchanged there caste benefits for being a general category.So i have a reason to believe that some people leave the cast benefit.There was also one friend of mine who did his graduation but when he went for post-grad…even after getting the fee-benefits he was not able to pay the fees( and he cleared the Entry exam ), we classmates than helped him with that.I can put that as unjustified……….most of the people have become a social cripple – we act as what is true for a part is true for a whole.

Exactly you helped your friend financially, he was good and he cleared the entry exam, I am saying what of those who Have the money, DONT do good in Studies and STILL get a Seat reserved for them.. What you are saying is a few cases not many.

50% reservation or maybe more thats not right, what will the general public do, how do they get there wards in, thats what brings corruption into now, so to get there wards in they have to bribe the people to make sure there wards get a seat ..

Some people can leave the cast I have no qualms on that, the problem is not with that SOME, the problem is with the majority .. Are you telling me that the reservation is NOT bringing about a divide amongst general and reserved categories ..

IF there are problems in the system we are supposed to rectify them, there is a problem with reservation system but nothing is being done to rectify.. and If I am not wrong this reservation system was put into place for SOME years not for so long… when willit stop , you tell me what should be the time frame ? If a system is not perfect then it should be changed or shud it let carry on…

Even i can say that your examples are FEW, the people i am talking about are the general people.I can say that the people you are considering are few.I don’t know where & for what time period, the major share of the people gave bribe for getting into any institution.By the logic of general people giving donation for there wards,……..most of the people are financially really good.I mean what share of people in a govt. collg came in by giving donations & were they able to financially sustain it. For pvt. institutes i can’t say anything because if they do take bribe they are profit seeking.
I don’t see a reserved cat. person taking a general persons seat, it can be said they are fighting for there own pool of seats.The govt. became incompetent when it stopped opening new quality collgs as the population grew. But i think pvt. sector also didn’t did much good work.
I tell you that the day a poor tribal boy will know which collg he would like to go & which institute he would want to join & what would he want to become is in his hands & his right & he can achieve all that.That day there will be no value for reservation and that’s my current belief………(with time it may change)

I am not sure we can come to a conclusion on this debate.. you have your views I got mine.. The ones who have lost on a chance will always be against it .. maybe when you experience anything you might change…

Yes they have there own quota BUT why should there be a Quota is the reason when everyone sits for the SAME exam, same time and Have to go to same collge or wherever.. Then it shud be merit.. thats what I am saying …

Not denying that govt is not doing good, they shud open schools colleges and give everything to the not so rich. But when there are exams for entrance then all it shud matter is the MERIT.. No quota there .. thats what i said If I am working hard burning midnight oil and Sit for a exam where thouand other enter then I should not have undue advantage that even if i get less scroes I will still get a placement.. It shud be merit.. if there are 100 seats then the first 100 shud get it , doesnot mattrer who or what they belong to …

Welcome ot this blog and thanks for coming over .. please do keep visiting 🙂

On Thu, Oct 13, 2011 at 3:53 PM, Bikramjit Mann wrote:

> I agree but then .. how can it be justified that a person who is ranked > 500th not get the seat while the one ranked 800th etc gets it .. Isn’t the > one on rank 500th more deserving .. WHat whould he/she do then .. > by classifying financial condition , well how difficult can it be , the > parents file returns to the income tax, It can be seen how much they earn > etc .. when applying for there wards admission they put there salay slips > etc on it … > > and If a person has taken the oppurtunity to use the quota system and get > into a good job or institute etc.. then why are his KIDS also using the Same > trump card again , When do they get out of that list .. I am sorry to say > you are wrong on tht List changes .. it does not .. A SC and a ST is > dependent on the caste and it reamins the same for life .. irr-respective of > any changes in financial standing. > > I ma sorry but i did not understand what you mean by the comment .. or what > you trying to say .. > > > > > >

” there are rich people from the lower strata who are unfairly using reservations to get free seats” – This is the basis of all the discontentment.
This is such a sensitive issue that the country faces today and progress would be hampered if mediocrity is encouraged in the form of reservations.
If only our govt found out a way to distinguish between the economically backward from the “backward only on paper’ and provide aid accordingly, then a solution to this regressive policy would be in sight.

I ugree…And BUT I am kinda surprised ..why there is no reservation in US 🙂 …it wud be so much fun..so many nationalities and so many seats!Indians wud get reservation on their Brain merit so on and so forth!!!
🙂

I completely agree with you Bikram. If we hope to grow as a nation the reservation system has to be done away with. It’s sad to see undeserving candidates getting a seat in prestigious colleges while the one’s who actually deserve it are not selected.

Our government should help the citizens based on their financial status, not caste.
I even know a few people who belong to ST/SC and have similar thoughts and I really admire them for their that.

Well said Bikram. If at all reservation should exist, it should be for the economically poor people, irrespective of caste or religion. But then that will not help for the vote bank politics that our Netas like to do!

I am strongly against reservation of any kind anywhere. It should be merit only. If govt wants to help it can by providing opportunities and monetary help, but giving reservations is bringing its own set of problems..as you have stated and some more like quality of professionals is going down, then some people get admitted, but nevr pass out, they are ruined in another way.

Yes, the special training for whoever is week in studies should start from the elementary level. The weaker students should be made to study well, so that their confidence level will be better once they finish their studies. Now, they get their Engg. and medical degrees easily, but respect? NIL! Our whole quality of education goes down the drain. As you said, the upper strata of the SC’s (rich ones) use these facilities more than the deserving ones.

Reservation 4 ppl who really deserve is understood, but the thing I never understood in this whole reservation system is that why give benefits of reservation throughout the life even when he doesn’t need it.

For example:
A person who belongs to ST is a police inspector and got this post as a benefit of reservation policy.
Now at the time of departmental promotion, he again gets promoted much sooner than others because he’s a ST.
Now tell me what kind of reservation does an Inspector need. He is socially, economically well settled. Now giving benefits of reservation is utterly absurd.

I am really not in favor of this kind of reservation after-effects
well that was my view 🙂

ANd your views are perfectly good and sane ones … and thats what i have said too .. one person uses it then his kids and then thier kids and so on .. and as you say thats a good example too .. he got into police and then for promotion too he plays the same CARD 🙂 its a sad sitaution

It’s high time to banish reservation based on caste. If indeed we need this kind of support, it would be better to have it based on economic conditions and within a limited scope (rather than then huge 50% reservation these days)

Yes reservation breeds casteism.
I feel if basic education is free and compulsory than there is no need for reservation in professional courses. Its is so frustrating to see deserving candidates not getting seat in the field of their choice.

It gives a sense of happiness that a NRI is still affected by what is happening in India.

Reservation is bad. And as you have said what stinks more is that reservation passes on to the next generation. The first generation takes all the benefit and come up to an equal status. Why don’t they get rid of their reserved category? Yahan, sab chalta hai

Well even if i am abroad the heart is still back there in india.. its my country .
and yeah you are right its the misuse of the reservtion that is more of a problem … I know sab chalta hai but we habve to do something to change this attitude somehow – sometime